Blessed, Chosen, Graced

  As a people who are away from home (God's Kingdom in Heaven) we often need encouragement to keep on with our lives, to keep on with the work God has given us to do, to keep on when things don't seem to be going according to God's plan.  Paul wrote a letter of encouragement to the church in Ephesus, a community of people whom he knew well from having lived there for several years.  Ironically, Paul writes to encourage them when he himself is in prison.
  Paul begins by reminding them of their status as Christians.  They are "blessed in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ."  They were "chosen before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless. . .  adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ . . .  given grace freely . . . redeemed, sins forgiven . . .  lavished with God's grace, wisdom and understanding" (Ephesians 1:4-8).  All of this comes simply by believing in Jesus.

  For reflection:  Grace and blessings from God are unearned by what we do other than believing in Christ.  If we find ourselves working to deserve or earn God's attention or blessings or reward, why?
  Let us pray.  I thank you, Father, that I am blessed in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing.  I thank you that I was chosen to be holy and blameless in your sight.  I thank you that you have adopted me as your child through Jesus Christ.  And I thank you that you have freely given me your grace.  I thank you that I am redeemed and my sins forgiven by the blood of Jesus.

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